10K more asylum seekers welcomed into Germany

Associated Press

MUNICH

Embracing its role as a defender of those in need, Germany welcomed at least 10,000 more asylum seekers into the country Saturday. As officials worked to give all a firm roof over their weary heads, a packed stadium cheered some of the littlest newcomers, who walked in hand-in-hand with top soccer players.

Germany over the past week has taken in more than 40,000 people fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East, Asia and Africa – and a poll has suggested broad support for the government’s course.

Still, Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel said the sheer speed of arrivals was outpacing Germany’s ability to provide emergency housing. He said Germany needed its European Union partners to agree to host some of the newcomers at a meeting Monday in Brussels. Several Eastern European nations have insisted they won’t accept any EU quotas on taking asylum seekers.

“Because of the speed at which large numbers of people are coming in, Germany is approaching a situation where we are reaching our limits,” Gabriel said.

Front-line aid workers said Germany was determined to meet the challenge and provide as warm a welcome as possible. The country’s biggest soccer club, Bayern Munich, took the field Saturday with each player holding a newly arrived child by the hand. Some 75,000 fans roared their approval as many of the kids waved shyly back.

Some 450,000 migrants have arrived in Germany this year. The country is expecting at least 800,000 in 2015 – by far the most in the 28-nation EU.

Chancellor Angela Merkel is facing some criticism from Bavaria’s governing party, the Christian Social Union, the sister party to Merkel’s own conservative Christian Democrats.